[joe sixpack]

Ok, so these are the gun forums so of course, guns. But what
I've noticed in various forums that multi-gun ownership is fairly common.
Sometimes the owner has a mix of types of guns (revolver, semi-auto
handguns, rifles) and other times the owner has all of one kind, like
several Glocks. I've seen posters who have mulitple guns of the same caliber. Even sometimes two or three of the same Brand and model and caliber!
I met this old timer at the gun store I was buying my first gun at and he
had over one hundred including 50-60 handguns.

Obviously I'm fairly new to this gun ownership (have about ten days to
wait till I get mine). I'm kind of hoping that the one gun I get will suffice.
However, I've seen it posted many times and in different forums words to the effect that this is just the beginning and you'll be back for more and more and more! I suppose it could be like anything that people
collect: cars, stamps, baseball memorabilia and girlfriends...

But, for you, what is the attraction, how come
you have the guns you have? And, in the beginning, did you think that you would be getting all the guns you have acquired? Like, Ok now I wanna
go buy a bunch of guns? Please elaborate. Inquiring minds do want to know.

cheers, ab

[Chuck Dye]

Ever play golf, or even just watch it on the tube? Just as different golf clubs are suited to different shots, so too are different guns. Enjoying shooting sports with only one gun is like playing golf with only one club.

[Clean97GTI]

Guns are a very personal thing. You will find many different reasons for people owning multiple guns. I have a different reason for each gun I own. Some are practical, some aren't. I buy some cause I want them and some cause I need them. If you can find one that fulfills all your needs, then more power to you.

[Justin]

Huck Phinn nailed it. It all depends on what you want to do. A defensive 9mm pistol wouldn't be much use for hunting or small bore rifle competition. This is, of course, assuming that a person gets into the different forms of competition.

Other people may collect for historical significance. I once met a guy who had a collection of WWII Japanese Arisaka rifles, all of them pretty much the same basic design and chambered for the same caliber. What was cool is that you could look at one rifle, made in 1939 or so, and then just follow on down the line and practically see that the Japanese were losing the war. The closer to 1945 that the rifles got, the more roughly they were put together, until the ones at the very end looked like they would be dangerous to shoot.

Others may argue from a practical standpoint that it's a good idea to have multiple copies of the same firearm. That way if your main carry/defensive gun breaks, or is confiscated as evidence by the police after a defensive shooting (and it will be) you can just pull out another one that is exactly like the one that has been taken. Since it's the exact same design, you don't have to get used to a different gun that may have a completely different set of controls.

Of course, finally, variety is the spice of life, and it's always fun to have something that's a little bit unique in your collection.
:)

[sm]

-I am part of what makes up the Republic of the United States. This gives me certain unalienable rights.

-Different tools for different tasks.

- I can run 100 straight at skeet. I've taken 15 doves with only 13 shells...I cannot do this with my 1911. I gotta have a shotgun.
Same token I can't find a IWB holster for my shotgun...Neither of these platforms are worth a flip for game 200 yrds away.

I'm sure my birth certificate said " collect the whole set"....:)

[Dionysusigma]

Okay... why I have the guns I have:

Marlin 60: Inexpensive gun. Cheap ammo. No recoil. Fun to practice with.
SAR-1: Looks cool. Cheap ammo. Internationally infamous. Built like a tank.
Winchester 1911SL: (Bad) investment. Can't bring myself to get rid of it, though.
Mossberg 590: Home defense.
Bubba-ized 1919 Swedish Mauser: Full-power round. Price was DANG low for what it is. More accurate than I am. Has some history behind it too.

What are they used for? When you boil it down, you get three words (for me, anyhow):

Just in case. ;)

[fjolnirsson]

My first gun was the cheapest one I could find in a large caliber. 44 special.
I bought it just before the YrK stuff, in case of rioting(I live in Raider country).
My next gun was purchased for use in the Police academy. a Glock 21.
My instructor recomended a smaller gun, and I wanted something lighter for house carry, so I bought a Glock22. I also bought a Remington 870 shotgun for use in the same academy.

Now I'm considering a Smith and Wesson 3913 for CCW. And also because ammo is a lot cheaper.
Different tools for different needs. Its like using a different type of saw for different cuts. You could use one saw for everything, but having the right tool makes things more comfortable.
I'd like a .22 caliber handgun for plinking. And a rifle, in case I get a chance to go hunting.

They're a little like potato chips. You can't really have just one.:D

[atek3]

I started with one gun, an M1 Garand, all because of our gratious host Oleg's page http://www.a-human-right.com
Which got me into highpower rifle.
I realized action pistol would be fun so I bought a 1911. The I realized I needed a 22 to teach new people. A battle rifle for SHTF, a match rifle for long range shooting, a .........
and things rapidly spiralled out of control. Then I sold every gun which I didn't "need" paring me down to five:
22 lr pistol, 40 S&W pistol, 223 rifle, 308 rifle, and 7.62x54R rifle. Now I can't do EVERYTHING, but those things I can do, I can do pretty well.

Good luck AB,

atek3

[cracked butt]

I just like to hold them, they make me feel loved. More guns=more love:D

[Majic]

How many change of clothes do you have? How many pairs of shoes do you own? Like anything else we aquire what pleases us.
One gun could handle all situations, but other models are more suited to handle the specific situation. Then we all change our whims and desires.
Since you haven't got your first gun yet this may sound alien to you, but after a few trips to the range you will probably get the chance to shoot other shooters handguns then compare it to yours you may find that theirs appeal to you too. Before long even though you really enjoy your handgun you may want to branch out with other models or calibers.
I don't know what your first handgun will be, but I bet there will be a .22lr somewhere in your future. Once you see how fun it can be and how cheaply you can shoot one all day you will understand why people say everyone should have at least one .22lr.

[oldgold]

Quote:
But, for you, what is the attraction, how come
you have the guns you have? And, in the beginning, did you think that you would be getting all the guns you have acquired? Like, Ok now I wanna
go buy a bunch of guns? Please elaborate. Inquiring minds do want to know"

It's other people's fault;

Dad bought me my first shotgun so I couldn't part with that one.
Then we went to a turkey shoot so I had to get a trap gun and .22 rifle.
Then they started to shoot .22 pistols so had to have one of those.
Then they started to shoot muzzleloaders.
Then I moved into a bad nieghborhood so I needed a pistol for home defense.
Then a friend took me to a pistol combat match, so needed another.
Then came bullseye shooting, that's three more.
Then .22 silouette shooting, pistol and rifle
Then IPSIC three gun, three more.
Then IDPA.
Then sporting clays.

It's not my fault, it's the other people who keep starting up all these fun games with different guns. Just trying to keep up.

[Beetle Bailey]

When I first started shooting regularly, I really didn't know enough about what my tastes were, let alone how they would evolve. But it seemed perfectly fine to me to own several guns. Not every gun I own has a strictly practical purpose to it, but I still had a "reason" to get it. Most of my rifles are military surplus rifles and I get quite a bit of enjoyment out of them. I am interested in the history they represent (good or bad, but mostly good ;) ), I like the nice looking wood stocks (that reminds me, a couple of them could use some oiling) and the craftsmanship of the metal parts. Oh, and of course I like shooting them, too!

BTW, I have three rifles that all shoot the same cartridge and another two that shoot another cartridge. The different varients on the same design can also be interesting. And if you think about it, if you do a lot of shooting, it's actually practical to buy a gun that shoots a caliber that you already use, since you already buy that ammo. When the right rifle comes along, I will have four rifles that shoot the same caliber.

As for how it started, I bought one bolt-action rifle for fun, then a week later a semi-auto for self-defence in case of a riot (I live really close to downtown Los Angeles). I found out I like the bolt-action rifles better so I got another one for variety. Then I finally decided what kind of handgun I wanted and bought one for self-defence. Around this time I found I was really enjoying shooting the rifles so I got a Curio and Relic Collector's license from the ATF (it's called a Type 03 C&R License) and bought more surplus rifles. I have a British rifle made in 1942 and also a Soviet rifle made in 1942 so I wouldn't mind getting an American rifle that is also from the WWII era (doesn't have to be 1942, though).

I guess I am lucky to have a good friend help me learn the ropes a bit when I first started, as well as this forum for info on just about anything firearms related, since it's probably saved me lots of time, energy, and money. On the other hand, this forum also partly responsible for getting people to buy guns they probably wouldn't have, simply because of a few positive reviews ;) (not that that's a bad thing. . .).

As for only having one gun to fit all your needs, it depends on what you are comfortable with. I'm assuming the gun is for self-defence, so maybe a backup gun wouldn't be a bad idea. But if you want to explore other areas of shooting, eventually you will need more. Regardless, shooting can be a very enjoyable activity. What kind of gun are you getting? :D

[DMF]

I bought a Ruger .22 and a Sig P228 to prepare for my LE training. I only intended on having those two guns, and my issued P228. Well the week before I left for my training in Georgia I ran into a guy from work at the range, and he convinced me to shoot his 1911. I had no interest in anything other than being a good shot for my job, but he was persistent about me trying the 1911. Once I shot that 1911 I was hooked. It was so sweet, and I was VERY accurate with it, even for a beginner.

A little while later I bought a Springfield "GI" 1911, and I am planning on building at least one other 1911. Currently my agency only allows the issue weapon for off duty carry, but if I move to another agency that allows something smaller for off duty I will get something else.

See I only planned getting just that .22 and Sig, but now I have 3 complete firearms, a frame and slide to build another, and am considering a couple more. The same may happen to you too.

[Wedge]

My first gun was a Remington 11 that is older than my 82 year old grandfather. Took my first deer with it. It has a cylinder bore...

So I bought a Mossberg 500 for turkey hunting.

Then I went through the PITA to get my permit and thought I would buy the 'one pistol I ever needed' a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt / .45 ACP. Turns out that ammo is expensive and trying to conceal a 5.5" Blackhawk is a bigger PITA than getting the permit.

So now I am looking for a nice 9 mm for carry and plinking. I need a .22 rifle for target shooting. I want to get into CAS so I need 4 new guns for that (2 revolvers, a lever action and a shotgun). I need a .22 pistol for practice...and in the meantime I plan on getting my C&R (and a MUCH bigger safe) for all sorts of goodies.

I think the golf analogy is about perfect. Even though you could probably play with just a 7 iron it would be a lot easier and more fun to have a whole set.

[Jeff Timm]

OK,

At an absolute minimum. You need three guns.

1. Your defensive choice.
2. A .22 LR version of your defensive choice, for practice.
3. A .22 LR rifle, for continuing education in marksmanship.

This expands as you add interests.

1. Your hunting choice.
2. A .22LR version of your hunting choice, for practice.

Then this expands as your hunting needs expand.

1. Hunting shotgun.
2. A .22LR in the action choice of your hunting shotgun, for practice.

Then this expands with choice of action.

1. Ruger .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk.
2. Ruger Single action .22LR/.22Manum Single Six for practice.

1. Bolt action centerfire rifle.
2. Bolt action .22LR for practice.

See how simple it all is?

Geoff
Who needs a single action .22 revolver and a pump action .22 rifle, for practice of course!
:cool:

[RED-DOG 40]

sm wrote:
."I can't find a IWB holster for my shotgun"

..:scrutiny: ....Still ROFLMAO.......:D

[rust collector]

Guns are tools, art and artifacts. Each was created for a slightly different purpose, in a different culture, at a different stage of industrial development. Each reflects its maker's needs, ability, resources and approach to problem solving. Many have completed a complex and arduous journey to reach my study.

As my needs evolve, opportunities occur, and personal fortune or misfortune ebbs and flows, my collection expands and contracts. I hope each item that leaves can give a little joy and wonderment to the buyer, beneficiary or heir. Each has spent quality time in my hands being carefully dismantled, cleaned, checked, dry fired, sighted in, perhaps modified, and maintained. Each brings me a little closer to the others who made, used or captured it, and each causes me to wonder how I could be so fortunate as to live right here, right now in a society based upon individual responsibility and determination. Each will continue the story long after I am gone.

I think it must have been the smell of Hoppe's #9 emanating from the kitchen at home that made me this way.

[sebago]

Realistically I don't need more than three or four for any practical purposes I might have. The rest are only because I find them interesting or just plain fun. Getting bored easily due to a really short attention span kinda helps too......:)

[Border]

It may sound strange but I bought my first gun more to excercise a right than any strong interest in guns! I was taking a hunter ed course because I wanted to legally bowhunt (traditional) and I became enraged when I learned that in Massachusetts it is up to the discretion of the police chief if you can get a CCW license!!!! Anyway, 3 years later I shoot trap, ducks, pistols....I have 2 revolvers, 2 semis, two shotguns. I enjoy shooting them all. While I doubt I will ever become a serious collector, I find that "addiction" sneaks up on you and I am sure there are more guns in my future!

[MuzzleBlast]

Because I like them. Guns are my "thing." Everyone has their "thing," whether it might be golf, model trains, motorcycles, or friggin' antique salt and pepper shakers. Guns are what do it for me.

[J. Garand]

OK so, Like, I think you are a sopisticated troll. :mad:

[Kaylee]

depends where your interests lie. Some folks have had an ol' revolver tucked away "just in case" in the nightstand or sock drawer for forty years and never touched after firing the first cylinder full, if that, in 1964. Others might have only a deer rifle that comes out of the closet once a year, is shot once or twice, and put back in without so much as a cleaning.

Others are "into guns" for whatever reason as a hobby. They may have hunting guns, practice guns, carry guns, "play army" guns, fun guns, historically important guns, oddly engineered guns, beautifully made guns.. all manner of different choices based on their particular interest.

As you might expect, being on a gun discussion board, you're primarily looking at folks made up of the second group. :)

[M2 Carbine]

I have dozens and dozens of guns because I like guns and can afford them.

When I could afford just a couple guns, that's all I had.

For instance I have 11 Makarovs and I'm thinking of making it an even dozen, just for the heck of it.:)

I enjoy doing a lot of shooting.


I'm just glad I don't have the same interest in classic cars or Bass fishing, that I couldn't afford.:D

[Smoke]

I can't find a IWB holster for my shotgun

sm,

I can probably make you one if you think you really want one. :D


One gun enough? hmmmmm

Handguns: 1911 for defense...Ok, got that. What if it needs work, better have two....you mean they make these in different sizes? Cool, got the 3" a couple of 4" and several 5" What? Double stacks? You're kidding....need that too....wheelguns....need a few of those.....these things are expensive to feed, I think I need a .22 to practice and plink with...dang, they make these in different kinds and sizes too.

Rifles? Lever, bolt, pump, semi-auto....better buy several and see what I like best. Heck, I like all of them, better buy a few more just to make sure. Open sights or scopes....seems to be a need for both. Putting that scope back on every time after I need open sights is a pain....better have guns setup both ways.

Shotguns....defense or hunting....semi auto, pump, double...what?! they make doubles two different ways? Now what.....gauges? How many can there be? What ever shall I do? Better get several and see what works.

And that doesn't even touch the guns I wqas given or inherited....

:D

Smoke

[sm]

W-e-l-l....I was kinda / sorta serious.
I do believe in using enough gun folks. You know what is said about how ineffective a handgun is. :D

Careful Smoke...I might take you up on that offer. :p

Great , all the holster makers we have on this forum are looking for molds for shotguns now.:p
[ IWB , right side , 4 o'clock, snaps please]

[The Real Hawkeye]

Like anything else we aquire what pleases us.That's it. My brother has zero interest in firearms, but he must have 12 guitars of various types, which he treats with utmost care (When he goes on vacation, he brings them over to our house for safe keeping). To me, a guitar is a guitar, but to him they are all completely individual and unique, and fulfill an entirely different niche. I had a friend many years ago who was into cycling. Most of the walls of his home were covered with racked bicycles. I can't get into his head and figure that out, but it seems that they made him happy, and he saw them all as unique and useful in their own way. To me a bike is a bike, what on earth do you want with more than one? Whatever becomes your "thing" is going to occupy your mind, and the more you learn about it, the more you will realize that the world of that thing is much bigger and more complex than you ever imagined before it became your fascination. The topic of "Guns" is far more complex and potentially interesting (objectively speaking) than bicycles or guitars, so while a real bike freak might have 20 bikes, and a real guitar freak might have 12 guitars, a real gun nut can end up with over a hundred, and still feel that he has not yet acquired all he wants. The deeper you go into it, the bigger the world of guns becomes to you, and the less you think of "a gun" as just another gun. It becomes sort of like saying to a mechanic, "Why on earth do you have more than just one wrench? Couldn't you just get one good adjustable wrench that you could use for everything?" He will look at you like you're from Mars, and rightly so.

[GigaBuist]

Of all the things out there to collect and "get into" -- at least the guns will be around for a long long time. I used to buy up every tech gadget out there but they become outdated pretty quickly and eventually stop working. My firearms should very well last my life and my children's lives if not longer.

Heck, I just bought a rifle made in 1938 yesterday. You wouldn't know it's that old by looking at the condition the important parts are in though!

What's a car from 1838 look like? With the original engine? All original parts?

[John Ross]

When a person buys a gun he is often buying a piece of a dream.

Every time he picks up his .458, or the double rifle his friends thought he was crazy to buy, he is on that safari he'll never make.

With his Pre-War M70, he's sitting around a campfire in Colorado, on an elk hunt with old friends now dead.

He's winning the Wimbledon Cup or some other match with his long range target rifle that he seldom shoots any more, but the last time he did, it put five shots under a nickel at 200 yards, and he can see that target just as well as if he were holding it.

He's shooting next to Rob Leatham (and beating him) with the high-dollar racegun he bought but hasn't fired yet.

All of a sudden he's on a horse in Wyoming with his $1,500 custom Linebaugh .475 in a flap holster, instead of thinking about how he's going to swing the $15,000 new kitchen his wife wants.

This is why you so often hear a man say "I never should have sold that gun." He sold it because he hadn't shot it in years, it was just sitting in the safe, and his wife wanted new appliances.

He didn't realize the tremendous power it had to bring his dreams closer.

JR

[Taipei Personality]

Dang, John, that was beautiful! You should write a book or something. :)

[chas_martel]

Like sm said:

I'm sure my birth certificate said " collect the whole set"....


I must have been born this way, I can never remember "having" to
make the decision "......to own alotta guns...."

[Dr.Rob]

Once you start "collecting" you'll find reasons to buy them.

"Gee this Luger would look swell with my Mao jacket."

"Billy The Kid had one."

"Look it's an antique, you just don't see craftsmanship like that anymore."

"Let's say a '48 Buick gets beteween you and your deer... you'll still get him."

"Well somebody gave me a box of .410 shells... so I guess I'll have to buy a .410 now."

"Wow thats pretty."

"It was on sale."

"Now I can wear one on each hip."

"Yeah but this one has a three digit serial number."

etc etc.

[BigBlueEyedDevil]

Check my sig below. Two were given to me. The rest I bought for various reasons. I picked up my Mossberg 500 for $100. Sometimes you can't pass up a deal. Tyler

[armoredman]

"What's with all the shoes?"
"What's with all the scarves?"
" What's with all the books?"
" What's with all the dishes?"
"What's with all the tools?"

See the trend? Legal products used legally, no worries. Dinna fash what I have in me safe, cupboard, tool cabinet, closet, or bookshelves.
Does anyone wonder at the antique car collector, even though vehicles kill far more people than firearms? Background checks for alcohol? Waiting periods for kitchen knives?
Sorry, soapbox.

[joe sixpack]

Thank you for your answers!

Several years ago I had thought about gun ownership but had mixed feelings about the whole subject. For one, I had heard that you were more likely to accidentally injure or kill a family member with the gun than a badguy, and I just couldn't overcome that consideration. However, when I did think about which gun(s) I could most see myself owning,
I considered a M1 Garand and a Colt 1911. Something about all those war
movies... and the "chinggg!" the metal clip makes when it ejects from the
rifle, their histories unparaleled.

I posted knowing some of the reasons for multiple guns, but I just wanted your own personal reasons.

cheers, ab

ps: it's a Makarov, Beetle.

[Nick1911]

. For one, I had heard that you were more likely to accidentally injure or kill a family member with the gun than a badguy, and I just couldn't overcome that consideration.

Training and getting every family member familiar with firearms will go a long way to pushing that to 0%. Be Safe, Always.

On the off chance you've never seen these before... (http://www.thehighroad.org/library/rules.html)

I considered a M1 Garand and a Colt 1911. Something about all those war movies... and the "chinggg!" the metal clip makes when it ejects from the rifle, their histories unparaleled.

I agree. There is a tremendous history behind each of these, you can feel it when you pick one up. I own both for that reason. ;)

As for my responce to your original question; This is my hobby. I really enjoy shooting, it's just what I like to do.

Nick

[Standing Wolf]

I'm kind of hoping that the one gun I get will suffice.

Kind'a like one potato chip.

[Ben Shepherd]

John Ross nailed it for me. Example:

Every time I cock an old model ruger, I'm stepping back in time to when men were men, women were women, and your word meant something.

Every time I set off the old flintlock, I'm on the Lewis & Clark expedition.

[Dr.Rob]

Black powder is an entirely different animal. You kinda have to.. 'get it' to get it.

I own four black powder weapons. Two revolvers, a hawken rifle and a shotgun... dang... you realize I could shoot "mountain man" division at a cowboy shoot?

:D

[Reno]

Regarding the "more likely to kill a family member than a criminal," take a look at these:

http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcdgaga.html
http://www.nationalreview.com/kopel/kopel013101.shtml

[kernal_panic]

Damn you John Ross you made me misty eyed.

Most of what you said is true.

i have 14 guns. 2 ar-15 rifles. 1 ak-47, 1 winchester m1894 in .357 mag, 1 smith and wesson model 27 .357 mag, 1 rossi 971 .357 mag, 1 smith and wesson 686-5 snumbie .357, 1 makarov .380, 1 remington apache 77, 1 remington 582, 1 smith and wesson 22a, 1 6.5x55 swedish mauser, 1 8mm yugo mauser, 1 walther p22.

the 1st ar-15 is done up to look like the original m16. no forward assist. when i shoot it i imagine my dad as a 19 yld kid in the airforce shooting one in basic.

the second one is the poop hit the fan rifle. it looks and operates like an m16a2 just no FA
the ak-47 is for when i am feeling veit congish
the winnie is the worst of my nostalgia rifles. my uncle had a rossi m92 pump in .357 when i was a kid. i will never forget those days out by the county line on his property shooting it.

that bigh smith and wesson reminds me of Eastwood's thumping model 29. its weight makes full .357 loads pussy cats
the rossi was part of my x-mas bonus
the 686 is intended for carry
the makarov is my 1st pistol. i shot my 1st bullseye with that gun, a winchester primer, winchester 231, and a rainer 90 grn bullet.
the smith 22a is my cheap blasting pistol $140 otd!
everytime i pick that old swede imagine myself shooting the largest big game animals with that long lean bullet or sniping NAZIs from across a Fjord.
The yugo shoots cheap ammo and is accurate.
the 582 is my colibri gun. it makes a brick of .22 last along time.
the apache was my 1st gun. got alot of memories with that one.

the walther is my contribution to save the second admendment. tomorrow i will take it out and shoot it. i'll fire 400-1000 rounds of ammo through it. then in 3 weeks it will be given to a young lady as her birthday present. I'm making a new gun owner.

[Chipper]

Because there are just so many interesting ways to all do one thing...send a piece(s) of lead(copper, steel, etc) down a tube to strike a target.

The history of the firearm is a history of mechanical engineering. It is a history of the industrial revolution. It is a history of defense. It is a history of human survival.

Firearms are also a record of many cultures from around the world that display in full glory the arts and sciences of those cultures. From the most crude of early Phillipine rifles to the most ornate silver inlaid Russian shotguns to the intricately damascened Turkish rifles or the delicately engraved rifles of England. All made with the most exotic and finest materials made at the time. Pearls, silver, gold, coral, ivory, ebony, ruby and much more have all ended up on firearms.

Beyond the history and aesthetics there are some very practical purposes for owning many different firearms. Foremost is finding the caliber and platform that work best for you. What works for me or anyone else here or elsewhere on the web may not work for you. I'm very finicky about what firearms are best suited to me. Some folks like some flavor of 9mm or .38. I prefer something larger. However, I would most likely have not reached that conclusion had I not shot thousands of rounds of 9mm/.38/.357 through bunches of different firearms both wheel guns and autoloaders. I prefer .40S&W/10mm/.45ACP. And these I have shot on many different platforms with many different loads. Right now for defensive purposes the 10mm has just a slight edge over the .45. However, this is my choice. This my current judgment and what works best for me according to my criteria. I wouldn't dare suggest or say that these will work best for you.

For longarms it's basically the same process. I have settled on a 7.62x51 Nato in an FAL platform as my defensive longarm. For a pump action shotgun an Ithaca 37 is my choice. For sporting purposes, anything goes. BB, pellets, crossbow, bolt action, break action, auto-loaders in any caliber and configuration. I don't hunt but, I do slaughter pop cans, plastic bottles and jugs and I am ever at war with paper. I'm not some big time shooter or competitive shooter. I only shoot between 5K and 10K rounds/ year. I probably spend more time admiring and caressing my guns than I do shooting them. And yes. I have hugged my guns today. :D


Chipper

[LynnMassGuy]

I'm kind of hoping that the one gun I get will suffice.

Heh!! So was I! Somehow it just doesn't work out that way. Every time I buy I gun I tell myself, OK, this is the last gun I'm going to buy for a while, but 3 weeks later I find a deal too sweet to pass up. The next thing you know I'm trying to explain to my wife how the new gun fills a niche in my collection. Its like toys when you were a kid. If you had a Darth Vader figure and a Luke Skywalker figure you didn't really need any more, but a Stormtrooper and Obi Wan would always be nice.:D

[Amish_Bill]

There are two parts to it...
(at least for me)

The first part is that while pretty much all guns do the same thing, they are each individually more suited for a specific task. A Tiny Kel-Tec P32 is good for carry when carry is difficult. A Beretta 92/96, Glock17, Walther P99, S&W 686, etc are good for carry when carry is easy. A Walther P22 or Ruger 22/45 is fun to shoot, cheap to feed, and good for starting a new shooter. A scoped .44Mag, 454 Casul or .50 S&W are good for handgun hunting. And this list just partially covers handguns!

The second part... why to have more than one of the same thing. Partly to have a ready spare, but partly because I just adore multiple copies of the same things. A box of ammo with all the bullets lined up perfectly just makes me smile. :D Some people are naturally Inquisitive... In this regard, I'm Aquisitive <ok, so maybe it's not a word - yet...>

[Dex Sinister]

I'm kind of hoping that the one gun I get will suffice.

Well, it will, for a while. :D

It's like any hobby. You start off with one gun, and the minimum amount of supplies -- "Three boxes of ammo? Why would I need three boxes?" -- and then if you use it on a regular basis, you begin to notice differences between guns, and you want to try out different things, maybe something "bigger and better" and you buy more supplies...and then more supplies...

And pretty soon guns stop subliminally "feeling" like dangerous objects that might just bite if not watched very carefully, and turn into respected but beautiful and functional collectable tools that you desire because they are well-crafted and enjoyable - and you suddenly find that you have quite a few of them.

...Or at least that's more or less how it went with my wife and I when we got into shooting five or so years ago.

Good luck with your new purchase: Have fun, be careful.

Dex http://home.pacbell.net/ajoule/firedevil_smiley.gif

[rde]

Well...for most there is a very real practical side. Whether that being different tools for different jobs or perhaps collecting or perhaps competition type shooting...etc. For me:

My name is Richard..Hello..I have a gun buying problem. Driven by the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Fueled vigoursly with posts that I read on this very board everyday. Any explanation I may give you for a new purchase is merely a sound and reasonable argument in order to convince you that this new purchase can be justified.

But that applies to me. Not anyone else here. And there is a gun show tomorrow. I have hidden my ATM and Visa card (but I really know where they are). I don't know how to get there (but I've got a map). I plan on sleeping in very late so that by the time I do get up it will be too late to go (but I won't). I don't have enough gas in the car (but the gas stations are open). ..... yeah, I am getting a pretty good handle on this affliction though.

:)

[The Real Hawkeye]

I'm kind of hoping that the one gun I get will suffice.Last time I had just one was nearly 30 years ago.

[crebralfix]

Guns are like shoes: they accumulate in the closet.

I think mine are breeding. Sometimes, I look in the safe and I find a new one--brand new, shiney, and usually with a holster. It's just amazing how it happens...I have no idea how, but it does! Occasionally, I'll even find some extra magazines and a brochure or two in there!!!

[The Real Hawkeye]

I think mine are breeding. Sometimes, I look in the safe and I find a new one--brand new, shiney, and usually with a holster. It's just amazing how it happens...I have no idea how, but it does! Occasionally, I'll even find some extra magazines and a brochure or two in there!!!I guess you never heard of the gun safe fairy.

[jimbo]

Two words -- we're guys. Guys like toys. If most cars also cost under $1,000 I'd have a Ferrari, Mercedes, Corvette, Jaguar, Hummer, Viper...

Ask yourself if you had an unlimited amount of money -- unlimited -- how many houses would you have? Maybe one or two on the US west coast, one or two on the east coast, one in Hawaii and one in the Carribean, a villa in Italy, one on the French Riviera...

Well, you get the point. I'd have a whole buncha cars and vacation homes if I was financially able to. Don't need 'em. Just want 'em. Same as my guns except I can afford the guns.

For guns & cars, a few are needed to cover the various applications. Those are tools. Above & beyond are just toys that are STILL tools. They get used. Often. They aren't paintings on the wall or some collectible in the attic. They get used often.

All my guns are toys that are tools that get used often cause I'm a guy. Any other questions?:D

[at-home-daddy]

When I started shooting seven months ago, I thought one pistol would suffice as well. Now I've got one in every major caliber that interests me -- .22LR, 9mm, .45ACP, .357Sig and .40S&W.

And even after all that, don't think I still wouldn't like a .357Mag revolver, a 10mm autoloader and...well, I think you get the drift.

Other posters before have explained it well, so I won't belabor their points. Just know that when it happens to you -- and it will -- you're in good company.

[M Jager]

What is my attraction for having multiple guns?
Simple- I find it to be cheaper, more rewarding, less complicated, and much safer than having multiple girlfriends.
It also serves the purpose of those "weed out" course you take the first year of college. If a girl can't handle my gun collection she fails.
Matt

[jAK-47]

If you only needed/allowed one of everything, you'd have to close down about 4,000 Starbucks in L.A.:D

Keep buying guns until your safe is full. Then buy another safe:p

jAK-47

[joe sixpack]

For me, the beginning shooter, a large part of the enjoyment of guns is the community and in particular the forums, where the uninitiated can rub elbows with the veterans, and where help regarding something about guns is never more than a post or two away. People talking about something they are truely passionate about rubs off on others.
I know it has for me.

Thanks reno and nick for the refs.

And thank you very much to all who posted.

cheers, ab

[magsnubby]

Why do i own more than one gun? Because i can.

[4v50 Gary]

Fun.

[sebago]

And if you think guns tend to multiply, take up handloading and see what happens!:)

[Brass Balls]

You could take care of all of your gun needs with fewer than a half dozen models. That's for HD, CCW, hunting.

From there it goes beyond need and into WANT. :)

[williamcrane]

Well, I started out with a S&W Model 60 for self-defense and CCW. Then, I bought a .22 Buckmark for cheaper shooting. The a Beretta Tomcat and pocket holster for CCW in the hot weather. Then is was a NAA mini revolver, just cause it was so cute. Now I am up to 19 guns, including two rifles and two shotguns. What can I say... I like 'em.:D

[Mostly Harmless]

They're beautiful.

It's an unparalled esthetic experience to be able to handle and use a piece of precision machinery.

Apart from the practical side of getting the right gun for the right purpose, John Ross was spot on with them being part of our dreams.

There are people with lots of money who are the same way with cars. I had the privilege of knowing one such gentleman a long time ago in a country far, far away. He let me drive a few of them.:evil:

When I'm not working, sleeping, or spending quality time with my guns, I'm into fiber arts. I have 2 spinning wheels and about a dozen drop spindles. I can only use one at a time, but they each have different characteristics and produce slightly different yarn. The spindles are all hand-turned by various craftspeople, some are decorated, some are not. They are like guns simultaneously tools and pieces of art. The two wheels are very different, both in looks and action but again they reflect the craftsmanship of the makers. The "mass produced" one is mostly hand-made and even though it's mainly plywood, it's furniture grade ply and has been chosen with an eye for grain pattern and color.

I'm by no means a serious collector, of either guns or spinning equipment, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the mystique of collection or the connection to the past that owning a piece of living history can create.

[hillbilly]

Because the voices in my head keep telling me to buy more guns....buy more guns.....buy more guns.....

hillbilly

[JohnBT]

Why?

For the same reason I have more than one chair in my home...in case guests drop by and didn't bring their own. ;)

Seriously, I never thought about it. Doesn't everyone have a bunch of guns and fishing poles and power tools and stuff around the house? Everyone I know does - the guys anyway.

Yeah, I have books and magazines around the house too if you were thinking I'm an uneducated bumpkin. I have 2 degrees, so that makes me an educated bumpkin. ;)

John

[Thrash1982]

My first gun was Beretta 96FS. Always wanted one of those. They fit perfectly in my hand and they just look sexy. Next one was a Mosin-Nagant M-44. This was a spur of the moment purchase at a gun show. Neat, cheap, handy little rifle with very cheap, though corrosive, surplus ammo. My third and most recent is an FN/FAL built by Ohio Rapid Fire. Great reliable guns issued at one point by almost 60 different countries. .308 caliber, 20 round mags for $5 and very plentiful spare parts. Very fun to shoot.

As for shooters as a group. They are probably the most helpful and friendly group I've ever had the pleasure of being associated with.

[R.H. Lee]

For handguns, I limit myself to the 1911 because a handgun is by definition a defensive arm and I don't want to complicate things with more than one manual of arms. That's just me. Anyone who wants dozens of handgun is fine by me, so don't get all offended.

Long arms are another matter and more specialized. I don't know what the upper limit might be.

[Baba Louie]

If there weren't so many different calibers or so many different models shooting the same caliber, or so many old ones of historical note, or so many fun ones to help introduce new shooters to, or to leave for the kids after I'm dead and gone, or, or...

I suppose a person Could get by with only one (perish the thought) or two maybe (ya gotta have a huntin' gun or two right?) or three (I NEED It, that's why!)... but after I hit 65+, I swear I can stop any time I want to... as long as I can feed them all... and boy, doesn't that Beretta Storm look cute? And FUN???

Hmmm. It's only 6 bills... and I've got lotsa ammo & magazines for it...

I don't know action barbi... So many guns... So little time... and they all need a good, loving home.

[MikeJ]

I was introduced to handgunning by a friend when I was 33 years old, I'm now 54. He had about 7 or 8 different handguns for me to try and suggested I start out with a .22, which I did, a Hi-Standard Sport King. It wasn't too long before I got an urge to get something with a little more punch to it, something that made me feel like I was shooting a real gun. My next gun was a Belgium Browning Hi-Power and that satisfied my need for a 9mm autoloader. I then knew that I "needed" a .357 revolver and bought a S&W 4" nickel plated 586. I really thought that I had all my bases covered; a good .22, 9mm and .357, what else could anyone possibly need?:uhoh: Well, I thought it would be a good idea to have a gun in a few various calibers, so I bought a Colt Officers for .45, a Browning BDA for .380, Ruger Redhawk for .44 mag and so on and so on. Well then, I decided it would be a good idea to own guns in various action types, DA/SA, DAO etc. etc. Then, of course, I had to begin my search for the ultimate carry gun. Anyway you get the picture, one thing just seems to naturally lead to the other until you look at all of these guns that you (at least me) don't really have the time to shoot but you're still very glad that you bought them if for nothing else but admiring and fondling them. :D

[Lagadelphia]

This is actually a very good question. I have multiple guns for many of the reasons stated already.

My first gun was a Winchester Ranger 20g autoloader. I bought it in college because I took up hunting. Only thing I ever shot with it were clay birds, but it was a good gun none the less. I ended up selling it after a few years of not using it and don't regret it beause I've never had a use for it it since.

My second gun was a Savage model 10 chambered in .243 Win. I used this gun to take quite a few ground hogs and it was a lot of fun at the range. I sold this one too after years of not shooting it and I needed the money. I do regret selling this one because it did have the memories of fun times with friends.

My third was a Mossburg 500a 12g. I bought this when I was around 19-20 and turned it into a defensive gun after a scumbag ex of one of my female friends was threating me. He was a woman beater and a druggy so the threat in my mind was very real. That threat went away after he ate his own bullet a few months later. I still have that gun and it is still configed for HD.

My fourth was a Ruger P-95 DC. I bought this for home protection and it was my first handgun. I had nothing but problems with it and since Ohio was looking at passing it's CCW law about a year and a half ago, I bought a Glock 27 for both carry and for HD since the Ruger had reliability issues and I couldn't trust my life on it.

I sold the Ruger off to help pay for my GF's Bersa .380 which she decided she liked. It was her first pistol and she didn't have much money to spend. She still has it and it's a great shooter. I don't miss the Ruger one bit either.

Then I moved to Oklahoma and shot my first USPSA match. Now had I not shot in USPSA, I probably would have been satisfied with just having the G-27. It fits the home defense/carry/range bill just fine. I also have to 12g for HD so those bases are covered. However, after shooting the USPSA match, I decided I wanted to get a gun dedicated for that. I was tired of having to strip my defensive ammo out and then having to rechamber them after every match. So I bought a Glock 35. I personally really like Glocks. They are for ME what really works and feels good to ME. I went with the 35 because it shares ammo with the 27 and I can use the 35 mags in the 27 if I so choose to.

The same day I bought a used Glock 17 the store had in it's case mostly because it was a very good deal and I couldn't pass it up. It was a mint second gen with a rediculously low round count through it. I had been wanting a G-17 because 9mm is so cheap but wasn't planning on getting one at that time. The G-17 doesn't really fit a "useful" niche for my needs. I already had my carry/home defense/competition needs covered so this gun is more of a fun gun.

A month later I bought an AR-15. I've always wanted one and since I didn't have a rifle of any kind at the time, I got one. I can play three gun now so it does have a practicle use for me. They are darn fu to shoot as well :)

My last purchase, I bought a Rock Island Armory 1911 Government model.
As much as I like my Glocks, they do lack somewhat in the asthetics department. They aren't ugly, but just plain and utilitarian. Which is fine but I wanted one gun that I could dress up and the 1911 is a handsome gun in it's basic lines and can be made into a visual work of art.

[loose cannon]

i had peacnik relatives on the mothersside of the family they tryd making me into 1 IT DIDNT TAKE instead i became interested in war and conflict history guns are part of that also having a deathly fear from youth of explosions guns were my way of conquering that fear now they are a hobby ive enjoyed 27years and i usually have my reasons for the many i own as follows

arsenal sa7 ak,,favorite battle carbine shtf gun
romie sar1 ak for convers to folder upon awb death (oh glorious day!)
rem 870 12ga home defense cqb
glock17 no1 main defense pistol love 9mm
glock17 no 2 in case 1st is down or in a property room
s@w681 357 2ndary defense feild carry 357 stopping power
s@W642 38 ccw (praise the lord we finally got it missouri)
glock26 9mm 2ndary ccw
ruger sp101 9mm neat rvolver feeds ammo glocks wont like old brass rloads
amt lightning 22lr pistol only good hgun my dad owned very accur
ruger22/45 22lr xmas gift from wife (soon to go paclite)
n american mini revo deep ccw dont use oft makes 1 lazy carrier
mos nagnt 38 762x54r its a beast extremely powerfull historical
ruger 10/22 22lr ss because every1 should have 1 even hav preban mags
h@r 999 22lr revo fun gun break top revos appeal to me 4some reason
action barbie
you will be the same in a few years espec if you leave cal b4 they ban them all hope your with us a long time shoot safe practice often

[joe sixpack]

What 's with all the guns?

People enjoy talking about their guns as much as I like reading about them.
I have begun making a list up in case I need to get another gun.

cheers, ab

[loose cannon]

action barbi, heres you a little tip im certain in la theres a few indoor ranges with rentals .if you havent already rent and try a glock model19 9mm auto.
from what ive read and heard alot of ladys like the g19 .its just alittle chunkier than your mak but fires a markedly more powerful round. recoil is reduced by the polymer frames shock absorbing qualitys. if you stay in cal it holds 11shots with full mag and chamber. outside cal (most places)it holds
16shots. (preban mags 75-125$)on 9/13 lord willing the a weapon ban dies and mags are 25-30$ once more. if you really like it john ciener in titusville fla makes a 22lr conversion kit for it so you can save $ on ammo and make
less noise. to put my money where my mouth is id bet my life on this gun
although i own the g17/s because they are bigger and use g26 and snub38
for ccw. if you want to limit the number of hguns you have the g19 will work for concealed and home defense. im also aware that your sector of cal has cats with an appitite for lady fitness nuts if i was on the menu of a big kitty
and i had a g19 fully loaded it (the cat) would develop a terminal case of indigestion. well im of my cracker barrel hope this is of help to you :)

[artherd]

Every Free Person needs a small, medium, and large rifle.

For some people, that's .22LR, .223, and .308.

For some it's .30-06, .338LM, and .50BMG.

And for some it's .50BMG, 20mm, and 5INCH.

Then you tack on shotguns and handguns of various sorts (everyone needs one Glock, and one revolver. SImilary one pump and semi shotgun.) Then add emotional firearms (Dad's .22, Great-Grandad's M1 Garand.) Then start at the top and get semi and bolt rifles in different cals, etc.

[Majic]

everyone needs one Glock,
Here's where I part company with the rest of the crowd. You can have the one set aside for me as I have no need or want of one.

[MeekandMild]

Dare I mention shoes? Just be happy that most guns come in either basic brown or black. :neener:

[Hemicuda]

I personally blame my dad... he got me my first rifle, pistol, and shotgun, then helped me dicker on the next few... and a gun-nut was born... I DO have some duplicates... (5 Nylon-66 Remington .22's...) and I also have duplicate calibers... but all were bought because I WANTED them, either as something that I wanted to play with, or as something to fill a gap...

I was in my late 20's before I NEEDED (and got) my first TRULY large-bore gun... the 'ol 30-06 was FINE, until I started Elk hunting in Colorado every fall! then the 300 H&H MAg was needed...

then the Contender bug bit... and life hasn't been the same since!

[capnrik]

From John Ross:

Every time he picks up his .458, or the double rifle his friends thought he was crazy to buy, he is on that safari he'll never make.

Ya got me. :)

[thatguy]

I doubt that there is anything new that I can add at this point but maybe I can sum it up. There is need and there is want. Want will usually exceed need. There are many different shooting sports requiring many different types of firearms. Collectors will want to have as many examples as they can acquire. Guns can be working tools or art objects or investments. The bottom line is that whatever your interests are in firearms and the shooting sports, you fill your needs and desires and for some people that often means owning more guns than they actually need. God bless America.

[armoredman]

Actually, I hunt at Alberstons'.....:p

[MaceWindu]

"Nobody "needs" to hunt.
When you add up the time spent, the cost of travel, licenses, and so on, you can easily eat well at a fine restaurant, and be a big "tipper', and spend less money per oz of food than you spend on flesh that you took with a gun. The IRS allows you to write off 37c a mile from your taxes, so you know it actually costs you more to operate a vehicle. So a 100 mile round trip costs $37, and the 2 hours of your time could easily have earned you $23, just doing oddjobs. Think about that, the next time you want to put a rabbit in the pot."


No one needs a mansion. No one "needs" a BMW M5. No onw needs a car that can go over 80mph...It's not about "need", its about CHOICE and more important RIGHT.

MaceWindu

[Majic]

When you add up the time spent, the cost of travel, licenses, and so on, you can easily eat well at a fine restaurant, and be a big "tipper', and spend less money per oz of food than you spend on flesh that you took with a gun.
There are a lot of people who can go out of their door, walk 50 yards, and bag game to put in the pot. They would spend a lot less than anyone going to any restaurant. Not everyone lives in the city.

[sturmruger]

I bought my first gun when I was 12. I have aquired 16 more guns in the last 14 years. The one thing that I really apreciate about my gun collection is that fact that I am really not loosing any money by purchasing guns. There are a few guns that I might have paid a little more then I should have, but all in all most of my guns were bought because they were a good deal, or they filled a niche that I was looking to fill.

[Robert J McElwain]

A friend of mine, due to a balance problem, needs to walk with the aid of a cane. He only needs one cane, and can only use one at a time, but he owns about 20 of them. Go figure. :)

Bob

[fastbolt]

Hmmm ... Thinking about a woman's closet for a moment ...

What's with all the shoes? Some of them even look the same ...

How many can she wear at any given time?

;)

[Baba Louie]

"Nobody "needs" to hunt. Gosh, and here I hunt at times without ever killing a thing, except my time. I don't "NEED" to go outdoors, but I choose to.
But this isn't about hunting, unless it's a hunt for "The Right Gun for me, for right now." Who knows what tomorrow will bring? The NEXT right gun for me, for right then, possibly. Hopefully. Like harvesting game, I don't bring home every gun I've hunted down. Sometimes, it's enough to know it's out there and that I COULD have it, should I choose; as Mr. Ross so eloquently pointed out.

At any rate... the "hunt" continues.

"I'm a Dreaming Man. Yes that's my problem." neil young

[Roadkill]

I'm up to 43, all but eight are military. I had eight uncles in WWII from Pearl Harbor to Battle of the Bulge, Guadalcanal to to Remagen. One uncle turned sixteen on Guadalcanal, I have his Type 99 w/bayonet and Japanese helmet from Saipan, another was in the engineer platoon that first crossed the bridge at Remagen, I have his 98K, another was with the 3rd Inf Div from Sicily to the Bulge, I have his Luger,P38,and parachute knife, I have a M1 carbine from one at Anzio, a MAS36 from one who was with Patton's Army (he drove a fuel truck). I could go on and on. My non military are a Marlin 30-30 for deer hunting, a Colt SP2 for coyote hunting, an Anshutz .22 for snake and critter hunting, a Mod 97 Winchester from an uncle for turkey hunting, a Winchester Mod 12 from an uncle for bird hunting, a Colt .357 for target and home defense, a Rossi 12ga stagecoach for home defense, and a Charter Undercover .38 for carry. All of these men have passed, when I shoot uncle Herb's 98K or uncle Jame's M1 carbine, or uncle Jim's type 99 they are with me offering steady advice just as they did when they were alive and they showed me how to shoot their guns when I was a kid. I've added a SKS from Cambodia to the count,and my sons one day will own this family history

rk

[iamkris]

suppressed

You are making an argument based on your mental model alone. You appear to be making the argument that you can't be proficient for self defense or competition if you have more than 1 gun of each "category".

That would be correct if the only reasons to own guns were self defense or competition...


...but those AREN'T the only reasons.

Personally for me it's:


plain old fun to shoot / plinking / paper punching
competition
historical value
art of the gun
mechanics of the gun
collection of variations
physices of ballistics
exercise of freedom and liberty
self defense
tool for hunting

[joe sixpack]

Loose Cannon:

Thanks for the advice and for the record I'm no little lady, but a married man. As for the nick, well it's a long story but involves no tv'ism or gheyness
whatsoever. I did go to an indoor range and tried the Glock 19 - and 17.
They were both fine, except the 17 seemed to fit a little better.

cheers, ab

[loose cannon]

for the incorect assumption both on your knowlege of weapons and your gender and i cant rec the g17 higher one is seldom more than 3' away from me at any one time

[joe sixpack]

Hey LC, no worries. The gender thing - I took this name as it was a nick
I used in an online fps mod called 'Action Half-life', which was just about
all the experience I had with anything remotely resembling a weapon;)
When I registered on the main bulletin boards I used the above nick, and have not changed it.

cheers, ab

[loose cannon]

is my cb handle i drive semis to and from kingman az twice a week from 89-99 i got real familiar with so cal when they started getting real nasty to gun owners i decided 44miles was all the closer i wanted to get to cal
up till the reg denny incident i actually went unarmed in cal but when denny got drug out of his truck and "bricked"i was 5miles away with only a tire thumper for company this was (for me)pre glock era i saw the light :uhoh:

[Mornard]

Action Barbi:

Good Topic. All I can offer is my own story. I used to be content with a small handfull of guns. A shotgun, a 22 rifle for squirrels, and a deer rifle. Then I started trap shooting. Needed a different gun. Then I started competition shooting - NRA high power (needed a different rifle) and NRA Bullseye (needed a pistol). Years went by, I was ok.

Then I picked up a copy of "Double Gun Journal", and became hopelessly lost. I became enamoured of double guns (shotguns)- there's so many different action types, styles, designs. Then there's double rifles. Then I decided to collect all the garden-variety guns made for hardware stores and retailers, and the cheaper lines of major manufacturers. (White Powder Wonder, Nitro Special, the Sterlingworth, the Trojan, the Fulton) guns with hammers, guns without hammers, all American-made target .22 rifles, all American-made SBT (Single barrel Trap guns) GH grade Parker shotguns with Damascus bbls, a full set of all gauges of American Gun Co., hammer shotguns, engraved German and Austrian rifles and shotguns, and then just some weird and different stuff.

There's many reasons, whether it's to get all calibers of a particular maker, or to just enjoy the highly engineered quality of German guns (like a Mercedes, they are...) it's just an offshoot of my Buffalo nickle collection when I was in Jr. High, but a heck of a lot more expensive, (and fun...)
:D

[dj53]

action barbi:

I sympathize with your confusion. I acquired a Glock 9mm several years ago, thought it would be all I "needed" for protection. By and by I realized that handguns are kinda underpowered for home protection, so I added a tricked out shotgun. Then I happened to be at the range when a CMP Highpowered rifle match was going on, now I got a Garand. Then I needed to get a .22 lr rifle for practice, so I didn't use up my 30-06 ammo too fast. Then I discovered how fun a lever action carbine is in .44mag.

Most recently I got a small baby Glock in 9mm for my wife, and switched to a 1911 . 45ACP for my carry gun. Of course the Kimber is aluminum frame, so I had to have a Springfield Armpory MilSpec steel frame for the range.

For those times where I just want to pop a gun in my pocket and go, I got a S&W snub revolver (12 ozs).

So, starting with a need for only one gun, I wind up with nine!

My small safe is pretty full now, so if I "develop" a need for something else, I will need a bigger safe!

Once the bug bites, there is no tellin' where you will end up.

[ReadyontheRight]

On simple answer -- What's with all the Freedom?

Nice choice on the Garand and the 1911 by the way. I bet you will eventually want more than one of each. It just happens.:)

[ExtremeDooty]

I've had a long gun since I was six. I now have 2 shotguns and rifle.

I bought the first hangun - cheap 9mm - and got the CPL due to a threat to my family. Bought the second handgun for more firepower XD-40 and besides I liked it. Bought the third one to give me more carry options 357 mag snubby, and besides I liked it. The next is probably going to be P3AT for another carry option, maybe backup and besides I like it. I think I see a pattern forming here. I like guns and I won't be happy until I have one of each, maybe two in some cases.

[joe sixpack]

Glad to have posed a question that people enjoy posting to and reading.
I know more than I did.

Thank you for responding!

cheers, ab

[Croyance]

Thanks for the advice and for the record I'm no little lady, but a married man. As for the nick, well it's a long story but involves no tv'ism or gheyness Hey, can't you just play along here? We can't actually see you, so you can make up anything here, like being an inhumanly disproportionate blonde.:evil:

My guns fill different niches, some of which were not availible to me when I first started. Some were just plain cool. The multiples in caliber make going to the range easier. Some of it was experience - as I learned, I found out other guns filled important niches better.

[joe sixpack]

Um, yeah, but that would be no fun for me.

Anyways, thanks for your response!

cheers, ab

[JohnKSa]

Spent a LOT of time picking my first one. I wanted one that would do EVERYTHING.

Then I bought another one--and another--and another...that went on for some years.

I got into a rut for awhile where I'd sell/trade something and then find myself later buying something virtually identical to what I had sold/traded. It took me awhile to realize that I had pretty much exactly what I wanted already and that's what was causing that particular problem.

Since I realized that, I haven't bought any for awhile other than when I stumble across really good deals. Those I keep & play with for awhile and then try to trade or sell (or maybe not) ;) .